Meat Consumption Linked to High Prevalence of urinary tract infections in the US Population, Study Finds

Over half a million cases of urinary tract infections in the US each year may be attributed to bacteria from meat, a recent study suggests. Escherichia coli, a bacterium that is typically harmless and present in the gut of humans and animals, can cause illnesses such as diarrhea, respiratory issues, and pneumonia.

Although a link between E. coli and urinary tract infections has been established, this new study suggests that meat-borne bacteria may be responsible for more infections than previously thought.

Women are up to 30 times more likely than men to contract urinary tract infections, according to the Office on Women’s Health. Dr. Craig Comiter, a Stanford University School of Medicine professor, emphasized that E. coli is a normal part of the bacterial ecosystem in humans and animals.

---

Symptoms of an E. coli infection

E. coli infections can lead to complications such as kidney failure or anemia (CDC/ Unsplash)

The symptoms of an E. coli infection can vary depending on the severity of the infection, the age and health of the infected individual, and the strain of E. coli involved. Common symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea, which can be watery or bloody
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever

In severe cases, especially in young children, older adults, or people with weakened immune systems, E. coli infections can lead to complications such as kidney failure or anemia.

---

Study reveals a link between meat-borne E. coli and half a million annual urinary tract infections in the US

Data collected by the George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health was analyzed in a study examining retail meat samples taken between January 2012 and December 2012. Samples of chicken, turkey, and pork from nine prominent grocery chains in Flagstaff, Arizona, were tested in the study.

Blood and urine samples were also collected from individuals hospitalized for urinary tract infections in the same region during that period. The study co-author, Dr. Lance Price, a professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University and the founder and co-director of the George Washington Antibiotic Resistance Action Center, stated that the data analysis took ten years and involved tracking the origins of E. coli bacteria.

However, the dominant strains of E. coli found in 2012 remain the same. The study estimated that 8% of E. coli urinary tract infections in the US, or 480,000 to 640,000 cases annually, may be caused by meat-borne strains of the bacteria.

The study did not find that meat-borne E. coli causes UTIs at a greater rate; it simply explains why some infections occur (Olga Kononenko/Unsplash)

The study did not find that meat-borne E. coli causes UTIs at a greater rate; it simply explains why some infections occur. Urinary tract infections caused by E. coli bacteria can lead to severe health problems, such as permanent kidney damage, sepsis, and a narrowed urethra if left untreated.

The study calls for more monitoring of pathogens in raw meat found in grocery stores, and people are encouraged to wash their hands while preparing or handling raw meat and use a separate surface for cooking raw foods.

While the study did not find that meat-borne E. coli causes UTIs at a greater rate, it highlighted the importance of monitoring pathogens in raw meat and practicing safe food handling to prevent the spread of infections. The study underscores the severity of UTIs caused by E. coli, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.